Got a sheet of this stuff in Flat Black on sale over at Sprue Brothers - last one they had in stock and only a buck! [Y] Never heard of this before, let alone seen it or worked with it. Sounded like a “paint/vinyl” version of Bare Metal Foil so I thought I’d try it.
Will have to give it a sample and let you know what I think! Anybody else used this? The Mirror Copper looks good too but definitely not on sale at $12 [:P]
Looks like a very thin vinyl and feels like it too… should be interesting to see what can be done with this.
Let us know how it goes. Have you ever used BMF? I’d be interested in a comparison.
Maybe it’s for use as paint masking. I have used vinyl paint masks before. They were on peel-off paper and had a very gentle sticky side. Worked good.
There is a chemical treatment for a metal (chrome, I suppose) known as “black chrome”. I wonder if that is what it is, or maybe an anodized aluminum dyed black.
I think Cadet Chuck its right. It might be Vinyl paint mask sheets.
I have used BMF - did a full 1/32 Mustang with it once. It is my standard canopy/window masking material. I believe this stuff is meant to be used as a replacement for painting some areas - at least that is how it is marketed. at $12 bucks a pop if it’s on sale, I’d be hesitant to use it as masking. I am thinking about trying a small sample and if that goes well, I’d like to see if I can make my Gee Bee pinstripes out of this stuff.
From a couple of web searches, I gather it’s a lot like BMF, only maybe more stretchable. I think ‘Vapor Deposition’ is probably a poor translation from Japanese, and probably deals with the process used to make it as opposed to it’s purpose.
But I’m just taking a SWAG at it here.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
I agree that the name of this stuff probably isn’t actually “Vapor Deposition” but rather a very poor translation of what the actual name is. I’ve got a Huey with a black anti-glare nose that I will be trying this stuff on when I get to that point (probably in the decal stage).
Okay sorry it took me so long to get back to y’all on my thoughts on this material…
I give it a try on the nose of that Huey, and it is pretty neat, actually. It is a cross between a thin vinyl, Bare Metal Foil, and a decal. Allow me to elaborate:
It has the sheen/texture/elasticity of vinyl, the thinness of a thick decal, and the lay-down properties of BMF. It actually is quite nice stuff to work with and I really do like it. I only got a little bit of a trial with it but it conforms very well, doesnt hide details too much, and is very easy to work with. Quite flexible, it covered a quarter-sphere shape of the nose of the Huey with one single piece and with minimal wrinkling and fussing. You can work out the wrinkles and rub it down very similar to how you would do so with BMF - I even use the same tools: q-tips and toothpicks.
This would be a very good material for detailing such as de-ice boots, walkways, stripes, etc. It is very expensive normally for what it is but if you can find what you need on sale, it’s worth it.
I am going to try painting a piece of it and seeing if it will work for missle/bomb stripes. Not sure how to do that without the paint cracking though - anyone know about that? (Painting a flexible medium like this without the paint cracking/flaking off)
You might try using an enamel and applying the Vapor Deposition sheet as soon as the paint feels dry, but before it’s fully set so it’s still a little flexible. Probably let it dry for 24 hours, then use it shortly after that.
Gene Beaird
Pearland, Texas